Mcmenomey Ranch Spring

Beaverhead County, Montana · Near Dillon
45.0270°N, 112.8440°W · 5,420 ft
68°F 28°F air · Good soaking weather 5,420 ft Roadside Camping nearby (4.3 mi)

Mcmenomey Ranch Spring is a barely warm spring in Beaverhead County, seventeen-odd miles from Dillon, beside Pipe Organ Road. The name includes the word Ranch; the record itself lists nobody as owner and gives no access status, so private ground is the safe assumption. The water is cooler than body heat, a wade at most, and nothing on file suggests anyone soaks in it.

Location

Roadside, about three hundred feet from Pipe Organ Road, mid elevation, with moderate snow and sparse rain. Nothing is entered for land unit or designation, and there is a photo on record.

Henneberry House is the nearest camp, around four miles. The months rated best on file are midwinter, and snow is moderate. Nothing says the spring is soakable at this temperature, and no chemistry or survey date exists. Ask permission before you walk off the road. If you are in Dillon anyway it is a short detour, and that is about the strongest case for it.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Mcmenomey Ranch Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around Mcmenomey Ranch Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Mcmenomey Ranch Spring
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the north.
Highest ground nearby
311 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the north
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
127 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 77% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
18°
Jan
20°
Feb
29°
Mar
38°
Apr
49°
May
59°
Jun
69°
Jul
68°
Aug
57°
Sep
42°
Oct
28°
Nov
17°
Dec
Annual Precip: 13.9 in Annual Snow: 45.7 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 17°F · Water 68°F · +51° contrast
January Air 18°F · Water 68°F · +50° contrast
February Air 20°F · Water 68°F · +48° contrast
December offers 52°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
28°F
Good soaking weather
Today 72° Low 37° Sunny
Wednesday 71° Low 42° Sunny 4% precip
Thursday 74° Low 44° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 65% precip
Friday 68° Low 40° Chance Rain Showers 52% precip
Saturday 71° Low 41° Sunny 14% precip
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Henneberry House 4.3 mi away

Overview The Dillon Field Office is unable to make reservations for you. Please call Recreation.gov (877-444-6777) to book a reservation or book online. This historic cabin, built in 1905, is located approximately 14 miles south of Dillon, Montana, on the banks of the Beaverhead River. The cabin provides access to a variety of outdoor recreational activities on adjacent public lands. The cabin and surrounding lands are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Recreation Recreation opportu...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,420 ft

Mcmenomey Ranch Spring sits at 5,420 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 22% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
68°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 68°F (20°C)
Avg Air Temp 41°F
Above Ambient +27°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Pipe Organ Road
Distance to Road 309 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Mcmenomey Ranch Spring?
Mcmenomey Ranch Spring has a water temperature of 68°F (20°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Mcmenomey Ranch Spring located?
Mcmenomey Ranch Spring is located in Beaverhead County, Montana at 5,420 feet elevation, near Dillon. Coordinates: 45.0270°N, 112.8440°W.
How do I get to Mcmenomey Ranch Spring?
Mcmenomey Ranch Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Pipe Organ Road (309 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Mcmenomey Ranch Spring?
Yes, Henneberry House is located nearby (4.3 miles away).